Look as Inter Miami and Messi play first game at their new stadium
By Al Diaz and
Matias J. Ocner
The opening ceremony for an MLS match between Inter Miami CF and Austin FC takes place at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Florida.
PHOTO BY AL DIAZ
adiaz@miamiherald.com
Take a look inside Inter Miami’s new home as Lionel Messi and the club face Austin FC at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park on Saturday night. From match action to fan excitement, this photo gallery captures first impressions of the 26,700-seat venue, the energy in the stands and the amenities that supporters used during the much-anticipated stadium debut.
Take a look at some of the best moments captured by Miami Herald photographers Al Diaz and Matias J. Ocner:
Thiago J. Breit, 5, kisses his pregnant mother, Sheila Breit as they wait in line to watch the MLS soccer match between Inter Miami CF and Austin FC at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Florida, PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
From left to right: Vincenzo Suarez, Joan Carlos Wizel and Gustavo Garay dance and cheer as they wait to enter Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park before an MLS match between Inter Miami CF and Austin FC on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
A fan holds a goat mask as she waits to enter Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park before an MLS match between Inter Miami CF and Austin FC on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
From left to right Inter Miami CF owners Jose Mas, Jorge Mas and David Beckham participate in a ribbon cutting event for Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park ahead of their team’s MLS match against Austin FC on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Fans react during a ribbon cutting event at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park ahead of an MLS soccer match between Inter Miami CF and Austin FC at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Florida, PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Fans dance and cheer before a ribbon cutting event for Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park ahead of an MLS match between Inter Miami CF and Austin FC on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Fans arrive to watch the MLS soccer match between Inter Miami CF and Austin FC at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Florida, PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
From left to right: Inter Miami CF owners Jorge Mas, David Beckham and Jose Mas applaud fans before their team’s MLS game against Austin FC at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Inter Miami CF fans cheer for their team before they play their MLS match against Austin FC at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Inter Miami CF co-owner David Beckham greets fans before his team’s MLS game against Austin FC at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
The opening ceremony for an MLS match between Inter Miami CF and Austin FC takes place at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Florida. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Inter Miami CF midfielder Telasco Segovia (8) and forward Lionel Messi (10) react after Messi scores against Austin FC in the first half half of their MLS match at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Florida. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts after scoring against Austin FC in the first half half of their MLS match at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Florida. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) kicks the ball during the MLS match against Austin FC at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Florida. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) shoots the ball as Austin FC midfielder Ilie Sánchez (6) defends in the first half of their MLS match at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Inter Miami CF midfielder Rodrigo de Paul (7) kicks the soccer ball as Austin FC midfielder Ilie Sánchez (6) and forward Christian Ramírez (21) give chase during the first half of their MLS match at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Florida. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) runs with the ball as Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver (1) and defender Brendan Hines-Ike (4) defend in the first half of their MLS match at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) takes a corner kick against Austin FC in the first half of their MLS match at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Austin FC forward Christian Ramírez (21) and Inter Miami CF defender Maximiliano Falcón (37) head the ball in the first half of their MLS match at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Florida. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) kicks the ball as Austin FC defender Jon Gallagher (17), defender Oleksandr Svatok (5) and midfielder Nicolás Dubersarsky (20) defend in the second half of their MLS match at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Inter Miami CF forward Germán Berterame (19) wins a header against Austin FC in the second half of their MLS match at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Inter Miami CF forward Luis Suárez (9) reacts after scoring against Austin FC in the second half of their MLS match at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Florida. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) reacts after a play against Austin FC in the second half of their MLS match at Nu Stadium in Miami Freedom Park on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Miami, Florida. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
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